KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On the heels of the first Peach Belt Conference Tournament title in program history, the UNC Pembroke soccer coaching staff has been recognized by the United Soccer Coaches as the Division II Southeast Region Staff of the Year, the organization recently announced.

Head coach Lars Andersson, coming off his 17th year at the helm of the Braves, led his squad to 12-4-1 record in the regular season and a PBC title thanks to a trio of 1-0 victories in the tournament. The Black & Gold was on the wrong end of a 1-0 affair in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against Queens. UNCP was making its third NCAA postseason appearance since the program's inception in 2001.

"It is extremely flattering to have our staff recognized by our fellow coaching colleagues in the region," Andersson said. "We are truly honored and humbled by this award."

Andersson was assisted by Brittany Padilla and Carolina Sanchez in the 2017 campaign, while Rose Bussey served as the team's athletic trainer. Padilla finishes her second season as a full-time assistant coach after serving one season a graduate assistant, while Sanchez wraps up her first season as a graduate assistant after playing four years for the Braves from 2013-16. Bussey has been a part of the UNCP athletic training staff for six years.

"We often talk to our team about 'total team effort' and that concept applies to the staff as well," Andersson added. "Brittany, Carolina, Rose and I have a tremendous amount of respect for each other and have found an effective and honest approach to working together as a group.

"Let us also not forget that no coaching staff ever has success without the support of their administration and a team willing to listen, learn and give their very best every time they take the pitch. We all earned this award together."

Andersson and his staff will be honored at the College Coaches Awards Reception on January 18, 2018 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Independence Ballroom in conjunction with the 2018 United Soccer Coaches Convention.

In addition, the Regional Staff of the Year recipients will be placed on the United Soccer Coaches ballot for National Staff of the Year consideration within their respective NCAA division. The ballot will also include the addition of coaching staffs from any schools which advance to the semifinals of their NCAA Championship.

Voting for National Staff of the Year will begin on November 27 and end on December 5. United Soccer Coaches will announce the Men's and Women's National Staff of the Year for all NCAA divisions on December 19.